St. Francis de Sales

• $1 - $99 Donor
• $100 - $499 Patron
• $500 - $999 Benefactor
• $1,000 - $2,499 Sustaining Benefactor
• $2,500 - $4,999 Honorary Trustee

“St. Francis made a tremendous impact on me in the four years I was there. The lessons I learned in the classrooms and on the athletic fields prepared me extremely well for university as well as for life. The teachers and coaches at St. Francis dedicate their lives to the students who pass through the institution. The faculty makes SFS the outstanding institution it is today. The least I can do is contribute monetarily to ensure others have the same opportunities. A donation to SFS is an investment in the future of our country.”

Ryan Marshall, Class of 1986, and generous donor to St. Francis H.S.

The Endowment Fund provides financial assistance to needy and deserving students. Income from donors and special events has directly impacted thousands of young lives and will continue in perpetuity.

Important Facts

• The total awarded for scholarships during the 2005-2006 school year was $373,000.
• The total awarded for financial aid only in 2005-2006 was $547,929.
• The average financial aid award was $2,165.
• 430 out of 660 students (65%) received one or a combination of financial aid, scholarship, and brother’s reduction during the 2005-2006 school year.

Types of Gifts

There are two types of Endowment Fund gifts: unrestricted gifts and named funds.

Endowment Priorities

The St. Francis Endowment Board has established five areas as priorities:

• Need-based Tuition Assistance
• Incentive Scholarships
• Minority Outreach
• Catholic School Fund for Faculty
• Technology Upgrades

To coincide with its 50th anniversary in 2005, St. Francis de Sales High school developed a $13.2 million capital campaign to update its facilities, offering its future students a modern campus with state-of-the-art facilities. The most notable highlights of the Pillars of Tradition: Building Futures renovations are:

• Increased classroom space
• 375-seat chapel
• New auxiliary gym and renovation of “The Pit”
• New fitness facility
• New arts center

More than $10.7 million has been raised, thanks to the generosity of many alumni and friends of St. Francis de Sales High School. Although the facility renovations are now complete, a few more contributions are needed to retire the debt. All gifts are appreciated! Please contact Development Director Joe Sweeney at 419-531-1618, ext. 305.

“I have enclosed a check as the first installment of our gift to the building campaign… I think that everyone should come back to St. Francis to see the changes that have taken place and get back in touch with their roots. It is really incredible to see how far the school has come over the years, and how many of our great traditions remain unchanged and are still a major part of the life of a Knight at St. Francis de Sales High School.”

Rick Fischer, Class of 1981

Funds to the annual appeal are directed toward building upgrades and ongoing maintenance and wherever they’re needed the most.

“Though a building doesn’t make a school, it surely is important in housing the powerful relationships and experiences that help shape each and every student.”

Fr. Ronald Olszewski, O.S.F.S.,
President of St. Francis de Sales High School